CLARKSVILLE — Tango the fire safety dog has been interviewed on TV, Skyped with school children, met celebrities and now is part of Dayna Hilton’s team of fire safety dogs that travel the country educating children about the importance of fire safety.

Tango was nominated for the 2012 American Humane Association’s Hero Dog Awards, which were created in 2010 to honor dogs nationwide for serving as companion animals, service and therapy animals, first responders and search and rescue dogs.

Tango, a champion show dog, was donated to Hilton by Mac and Lori Finlayson of Tulsa in 2008 because the couple was familiar with the Keep Kids Fire Safe Foundation.

“We travel each year to Celia Clinton Elementary in Tulsa demonstrating fire safety,” Hilton said. “The Rotary Club sponsors our trip and Mac saw first-hand the impact the dogs had on the school children.”

In 2008 Hilton received a call from the principal of Celia Clinton Elementary telling Hilton about 5-year-old Angelica’s story.

Angelica awoke to a smoke-filled room and remembered to crawl low to the door and actually helped her father safely leave the house.

“She remembered to crawl low because of our program and said her daddy was standing in the hall and Angelica even remembered to tell him to crawl low,” Hilton said.

Angelica’s father was disoriented from the smoke and the little girl safely led him to the door. Firefighters later told Hilton the home flashed, or was completely engulfed in flames, immediately following the exit of Angelica and her father.

“I became interested in fire safety after learning that Arkansas ranked seventh in fire related deaths and injuries,” Hilton said. “I started the fire safety programs to try and reduce that statistic. Angelica and her daddy are living proof that fire safety programs work.”

Hilton said the affect of the dogs is tangible and more effective than if just she were giving a program.

Hilton said at each program the children learn the sound and purpose of smoke alarms, that firefighters are helpers and friends, the importance of crawling low and the need to not only have an escape map, but the importance of practicing home fire drills.

Visit www.herodogawards.org to vote once per day for Tango. Voting ends June 30.

Learn more about Tango and how to Skype with him for free at www.keepkidsfiresafe.org